China warns US against meddling in Taiwan affairs

06.10.2018 14:05

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China has once again warned the United States against interfering in Taiwan-related issues, urging Washington to respect Beijing’s policies regarding the island.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, hit back at allegations leveled by US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday, calling on Washington “to earnestly abide by the one-China principle…prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues and work with China in opposing and restraining ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.”

Vice President Pence accused Beijing of threatening “the stability of the Taiwan Strait,” by putting pressure on the island’s allies to sever their ties with Taipei and embrace China.

Speaking at a think tank and research center in Washington DC – Hudson Institute – Pence urged Beijing to follow what he described as “Taiwan’s embrace of democracy,” calling the move as “a better path for all the Chinese people.”

“There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” Hua said, adding that “Taiwan independence” forces and their separatist activities pose the gravest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, calling the self-ruled island as “an inalienable” part of its territory. Almost all countries recognize that sovereignty under a policy known as “One China.” The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan, but it has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter China.

Only late last month, the US State Department approved the proposed sale to Taiwan of spare parts for military aircraft worth up to 330 million dollars.

Beijing strongly objected to the provocative move by the administration of President Donald Trump, calling on Washington to cancel the contract.

China has constantly warned the US over its relations with Taiwan. But the Trump administration has bolstered ties with Taipei. Trump signed an act that encourages high-level visits between the US and Taiwan, despite Beijing’s strong opposition. His administration also approved $1.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last year and is now opening a new de facto embassy in a suburb of Taipei.